I've seen several boat / motor / trailer combos on the net for 50% to 75%
more than I can afford. That's why I came here looking for advice.

I'm just looking for advice on what I should get within my limitations and
your talking like I should be independently wealthy before even think buying
a boat. Do I need country club membership as well? Nineteen figure income?

Well, excuse me for not fitting into your requirements for boat ownership.

BTW, Tony, please point out where I said I was looking for anything other
than a small boat. The craft you're suggesting would banned because no one
else could put into the water for lack of room at the lake ( Ok, big pond)
that I fish at. I have one vehicle, a 1995 LeBaron GTC convertible my oldest
gave me for my last birthday. It can't tow a big boat. I live in mobile home
community, fer Christ's Sake, and I have no parking for a large boat.

Now, if you have nothing further, I thank you for your contribution.

Budd


"Tony Thomas" wrote in message
news:NXxuc.21549$js4.14432@attbi_s51...
Now that we have a little more info on what you really want and your use,
I
would still suggest a small pontoon. There are several companies out
there
that make them and you should be able to pick up a used one in a 14 to
16'.
However, $2000 is not really enough money to get something that is
dependable.

Looks like your going to have to find an older jon boat w/ a small tiller
handle engine on it for that price.

--
Tony
my boats at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

"Budd Cochran" wrote in message
...

"Tony Thomas" wrote in message
news:EOwuc.17251$3x.8834@attbi_s54...
Based on your condition and towing ability - I would recommend you
look
at
a
20' pontoon w/ a 75 hp engine on it. You can leave it in the water
(yes,
there is the dock fee and fuel is a little more expensive) but no
trailer
loading, hookup at the house and all the strenious effort required to
take
a
boat to the lake and back. You show up, crank it and go. Plus the
pontoon
will give you plenty of room for doing whatever you want.

Other option would be to get something that fits your needs and dry
dock
it.

Someone in your condition does not need to be trying to load and
trailer
a
boat. Plus anything you could tow is going to be very small and not
very
stable.

--
Tony

I wish I could afford a pontoon and dock fees and put it on a fantastic
Bass
/ Catfish lake but as the old saying goes, "If wishes were horses the
peasants would ride."

Besides, worry about the boat ( vandals, storms, etc.) would cause heart
attacks 9, 10 and 11 ... if I survive.

I'm looking at a max cost of about $2000 dollars. On a fixed income you
don't make a down payment on the Q. E. III. VBG

I guess I'll settle for all the stability I can get and, as I did on a
old
Grumman canoe used by our Foster kids many years ago, I'll make
stabilizing
pontoons for it, if necessary. Size, capacity and price are the limiting
parameters for me.

Budd

"Budd Cochran" wrote in message
...


A 16' carolina Skiff....wide, stable, not too heavy. But one of your
considerations should be where you are planning to use the boat.,

I have two grown sons, one 130 lbs and the other 280, myself and the wife
total 450+. While the boys are not going to be home much, they both love
fishing, so I want to be able to go on an all day, family outing. I want
it
big enough to handle a large reservoir if I ever get a chance, like Blue
Mesa near Grand Junction CO or Lake Powell, but I have to be able to
handle
it also.

I looked at some Carolina Skiff sites and the craft is too heavy.

Budd



Too heavy for what, Budd? Launching & loading back onto the trailer? If so,
there are ways of making that MUCH easier by adding the appropriate trailer
accessories. I find I expend the most effort when I'm trying to get the boat
straight onto the trailer in a crosswind. If I wasn't a cheapskate, I'd add
a set of guideposts for under $100. I'd add rollers instead of carpeted
bunks, which would make it much easier to push the boat off the trailer.
And, you can put an electric winch on the trailer instead of the
hand-cranked version.

You're talking about fishing here. This is religion. You MUST find a way.

"Tony Thomas" wrote in message
news:EOwuc.17251$3x.8834@attbi_s54...

Plus anything you could tow is going to be very small and not very
stable.

That's not true.

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

Too heavy for what, Budd? Launching & loading back onto the trailer? If
so,
there are ways of making that MUCH easier by adding the appropriate
trailer
accessories. I find I expend the most effort when I'm trying to get the
boat
straight onto the trailer in a crosswind.

A few years ago, before my health probs, I found myself aiding a guy with
the retrieval of his fiberglass boat in only a 10 mph breeze. Solo, he
couldn.t handle it and he was about 6' 3". I Iearned quickly about
winds!!!! BG


If I wasn't a cheapskate, I'd add
a set of guideposts for under $100. I'd add rollers instead of carpeted
bunks, which would make it much easier to push the boat off the trailer.
And, you can put an electric winch on the trailer instead of the
hand-cranked version.

The hand crank wont be a problem as I do plan on some guides and roller
bunks. By using only a trolling motor, I won't have any power to spare so,
if I can get it to self-guide, the better off I'll be. Heck, if I can
figure out how, I may use the winch to launch and load.

You're talking about fishing here. This is religion. You MUST find a way.

LOL Well, fishing's not a religion to me, but it is one of my favorite
pastimes. I'm blessed also with a loving wife that also enjoys fishing, but
will also send me off to fish when she sees me getting stressed out. With
the frustrations from a forced early retirement, I get to drown lots of
worms.

Budd

Then may I suggest you check out the inflatable fishing boats at
http://www.seaeagle.com/.

You can even get auto cig lighter air pumps to inflate em when you get to
the water. (deflate to put em in the trunk/back)

Check out the sea eagle 8 and 9's, they carry two people and lots of gear.

If you only have 1000LBS of towing available, almost anything on a trailer
is gonna weigh more than that.

A friend of mine carries one (deflated) in his RV so he can go fishing when
the mood strikes him.

"Budd Cochran" wrote in message

We had a 16 foot Grumman that I bought thru the aluminum recycler I
worked for back in the early 90's when we were Foster Parenting.

With the outriggers, made from stacked chunks of pink insulation
foam, it was impossible to swamp it, but it lacked room for our
fishing gear.

Budd
(who's beginning to believe there isn't a boat made that will work
for him.)

"Peter Pan" wrote in message
ink.net...
Sounds silly, but you may want to look into kayaks/canoes. Easy to
launch/rather lightweight, manual powered. I'm only mildly disabled,
so a regular canoe works for me, but my friend is much worse off and
has an outrigger canoe. Extremely stable/lightweight


"Budd Cochran" wrote in message

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Budd Cochran wrote:
OK, folks. I'm thinking of getting my first new boat and I need
some advice.

I'm thinking I need a light, trailerable boat ( my tow vehicle is
a 95 Chrysler LeBaron FWD) with about a 1000 pound capacity (I'm
physically handicapped and I figure a somewhat larger craft will
be more stable for entry and egress but I need it to be pretty
light in weight ( because the car has only a one ton tow
capacity) so I can load and launch it easily.

My physical limitations are from blood pressure and heart trouble,
diabetes and Post Polio Syndrome.

So, what styles / lengths / brands should I look at?? I once had a
used 12 foot aluminum Jon boat, but it was a bit narrow and quite
tender when approaching hull capacity. I borrowed my brother's old
aluminum 12 foot Sears rowboat once and lightly loaded it was fun,
but it was a bit heavy to cartop (this was before the health probs
hit.)

Oh, price is important too. I may go for a used boat / trailer if
I find a great deal. VBG

TIA

Budd




A 16' carolina Skiff....wide, stable, not too heavy. But one of
your considerations should be where you are planning to use the
boat.,

I like to fish at a nearby irrigation reservoir, Ken's Lake, near my
home in Moab, Utah. It varies from about 2 to 4 acres and a maximum
depth of about 80 ft. My eldest son says it's smaller than the
flight deck on his ship ( CVN 75, Harry S. Truman) while he was in
the Navy. It's also limited to sail, manual or electric propulsion.

Budd

Budd, we are just trying to offer options. However, given the following
limits:
1. 1000 lbs w/ trailer and all gear
2. $2000
3. Small enough to store at a mobile home park
4. Stable
5. Carry 3 people plus gear
6. Easy to load and unload

If you had stated all this before, we would not have offered some of the
options.

Sounds like your wanting to beat us up for offering options that we did not
know were out of your range until just now.

Goog luck and happy boating. Sounds like your going to be stuck w/ a jon
boat.

--
Tony
my boats at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

"Budd Cochran" wrote in message
...
I've seen several boat / motor / trailer combos on the net for 50% to 75%
more than I can afford. That's why I came here looking for advice.

I'm just looking for advice on what I should get within my limitations
and
your talking like I should be independently wealthy before even think
buying
a boat. Do I need country club membership as well? Nineteen figure income?

Well, excuse me for not fitting into your requirements for boat ownership.

BTW, Tony, please point out where I said I was looking for anything other
than a small boat. The craft you're suggesting would banned because no one
else could put into the water for lack of room at the lake ( Ok, big pond)
that I fish at. I have one vehicle, a 1995 LeBaron GTC convertible my
oldest
gave me for my last birthday. It can't tow a big boat. I live in mobile
home
community, fer Christ's Sake, and I have no parking for a large boat.

Now, if you have nothing further, I thank you for your contribution.

Budd


"Tony Thomas" wrote in message
news:NXxuc.21549$js4.14432@attbi_s51...
Now that we have a little more info on what you really want and your
use,
I
would still suggest a small pontoon. There are several companies out
there
that make them and you should be able to pick up a used one in a 14 to
16'.
However, $2000 is not really enough money to get something that is
dependable.

Looks like your going to have to find an older jon boat w/ a small
tiller
handle engine on it for that price.

--
Tony
my boats at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

"Budd Cochran" wrote in message
...

"Tony Thomas" wrote in message
news:EOwuc.17251$3x.8834@attbi_s54...
Based on your condition and towing ability - I would recommend you
look
at
a
20' pontoon w/ a 75 hp engine on it. You can leave it in the water
(yes,
there is the dock fee and fuel is a little more expensive) but no
trailer
loading, hookup at the house and all the strenious effort required
to
take
a
boat to the lake and back. You show up, crank it and go. Plus the
pontoon
will give you plenty of room for doing whatever you want.

Other option would be to get something that fits your needs and dry
dock
it.

Someone in your condition does not need to be trying to load and
trailer
a
boat. Plus anything you could tow is going to be very small and not
very
stable.

--
Tony

I wish I could afford a pontoon and dock fees and put it on a
fantastic
Bass
/ Catfish lake but as the old saying goes, "If wishes were horses the
peasants would ride."

Besides, worry about the boat ( vandals, storms, etc.) would cause
heart
attacks 9, 10 and 11 ... if I survive.

I'm looking at a max cost of about $2000 dollars. On a fixed income
you
don't make a down payment on the Q. E. III. VBG

I guess I'll settle for all the stability I can get and, as I did on a
old
Grumman canoe used by our Foster kids many years ago, I'll make
stabilizing
pontoons for it, if necessary. Size, capacity and price are the
limiting
parameters for me.

Budd

"Budd Cochran" wrote in message
news
By using only a trolling motor, I won't have any power to spare so,
if I can get it to self-guide, the better off I'll be.

On lots of ramps, the angle's all wrong anyway for driving the boat onto the
trailer.

"Budd Cochran" wrote in message
...

I've seen several boat / motor / trailer combos on the net for 50% to 75%
more than I can afford. That's why I came here looking for advice.

Contact dealers for Lund and Alumacraft about used boats. For instance, my
14 ft Lund (just the boat) sold 5 years back for about $2000 new. I got a
deal on the prior year's model for $1600. When I've seen them used, they've
been in the $1000 to $1400 range, mostly from private sellers, not dealers.
But I recently asked my dealer about trade in value and he said he'd have to
give me a price which enabled HIM to sell my boat in the aforementioned
range.

I've run into quite a few Alumacraft owners who are also very happy with
their basic models, so those are worth looking at, too.

Finally, a friend of mine let me borrow a 47 lb thrust MinnKota trolling
motor a month ago to see if that was enough power for my boat. If you end up
finding something in 14' range, I'd go one step higher. My primary use for a
trolling motor is to move around in quiet backwater without scaring all the
fish. The 47 lb motor was fine for that purpose, but if it's going to me
your primary means of propulsion, you'll want something larger.

Peter,

You need to come back from "Never-Never Land" and read the posts I've made
so far.

A) I have a "4 man" Coleman inflatable and It's my solo boat because I weigh
close to half the rated capacity.

B) A large Sea Eagle of a size to handle my family of four would be harder
than a rigid boat for me and the Missus to deflate, fold and stow. I'd still
need a trailer because the trunk on a 95 LeBaron is slightly bigger than a
box of Kleenex.

Your buddy, imho, would better off with a Porta-Bote. Myself, I'd need a
trailer to carry it and so on and so forth.

Budd

"Peter Pan" wrote in message
k.net...
Then may I suggest you check out the inflatable fishing boats at
http://www.seaeagle.com/.

You can even get auto cig lighter air pumps to inflate em when you get to
the water. (deflate to put em in the trunk/back)

Check out the sea eagle 8 and 9's, they carry two people and lots of gear.

If you only have 1000LBS of towing available, almost anything on a trailer
is gonna weigh more than that.

A friend of mine carries one (deflated) in his RV so he can go fishing
when
the mood strikes him.

"Budd Cochran" wrote in message

We had a 16 foot Grumman that I bought thru the aluminum recycler I
worked for back in the early 90's when we were Foster Parenting.

With the outriggers, made from stacked chunks of pink insulation
foam, it was impossible to swamp it, but it lacked room for our
fishing gear.

Budd
(who's beginning to believe there isn't a boat made that will work
for him.)

"Peter Pan" wrote in message
ink.net...
Sounds silly, but you may want to look into kayaks/canoes. Easy to
launch/rather lightweight, manual powered. I'm only mildly disabled,
so a regular canoe works for me, but my friend is much worse off and
has an outrigger canoe. Extremely stable/lightweight


"Budd Cochran" wrote in message

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Budd Cochran wrote:
OK, folks. I'm thinking of getting my first new boat and I need
some advice.

I'm thinking I need a light, trailerable boat ( my tow vehicle is
a 95 Chrysler LeBaron FWD) with about a 1000 pound capacity (I'm
physically handicapped and I figure a somewhat larger craft will
be more stable for entry and egress but I need it to be pretty
light in weight ( because the car has only a one ton tow
capacity) so I can load and launch it easily.

My physical limitations are from blood pressure and heart trouble,
diabetes and Post Polio Syndrome.

So, what styles / lengths / brands should I look at?? I once had a
used 12 foot aluminum Jon boat, but it was a bit narrow and quite
tender when approaching hull capacity. I borrowed my brother's old
aluminum 12 foot Sears rowboat once and lightly loaded it was fun,
but it was a bit heavy to cartop (this was before the health probs
hit.)

Oh, price is important too. I may go for a used boat / trailer if
I find a great deal. VBG

TIA

Budd




A 16' carolina Skiff....wide, stable, not too heavy. But one of
your considerations should be where you are planning to use the
boat.,

I like to fish at a nearby irrigation reservoir, Ken's Lake, near my
home in Moab, Utah. It varies from about 2 to 4 acres and a maximum
depth of about 80 ft. My eldest son says it's smaller than the
flight deck on his ship ( CVN 75, Harry S. Truman) while he was in
the Navy. It's also limited to sail, manual or electric propulsion.

Budd

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Budd Cochran" wrote in message
news
By using only a trolling motor, I won't have any power to spare so,
if I can get it to self-guide, the better off I'll be.

On lots of ramps, the angle's all wrong anyway for driving the boat onto
the
trailer.



The lake I'm fishing doesn't even have a paved launch ramp so I'll probably
be making some kind of extension to the tongue to keep the car from getting
stuck. Most of the trailers I've seen have straight tongues and a sawsall
cut, a little drilling and a length of tubing that will just slip inside the
tongue and I can gain a bunch of length.

One spot, two years ago, was just the right slope for the deck of the
utility trailer to rest level with the water while I loaded and launched a
small Penguin Pedal boat.

Budd